Aquatics: Bellaire hopes to challenge Lamar's supremacy in District 20-5A

By Jeff Johnson

Published 2:38 pm, Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Photo: Tony Bullard, Freelance

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Bellaire junior Bridget Ritter is the reigning district champion in both the 100-meter breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

Bellaire junior Bridget Ritter is the reigning district champion in both the 100-meter breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

Photo: Tony Bullard, Freelance

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Bellaire's Sam Polisini competes in the Boys 4x50 Yard Medley Relay during UIL District 20-AAAAA Swimming and Diving Championship at Lamar High School on 1/28/11. Photo by Thomas Nguyen.

Bellaire's Sam Polisini competes in the Boys 4x50 Yard Medley Relay during UIL District 20-AAAAA Swimming and Diving Championship at Lamar High School on 1/28/11. Photo by Thomas Nguyen.

Photo: Thomas Nguyen, Freelance

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Bellaire swimming head coach Kris Wingenroth before the District 20-5A swimming meet at Lamar High School Friday 2/03/12. Photo by Tony Bullard.

Bellaire swimming head coach Kris Wingenroth before the District 20-5A swimming meet at Lamar High School Friday 2/03/12. Photo by Tony Bullard.

Photo: Tony Bullard, Freelance

Aquatics: Bellaire hopes to challenge Lamar's supremacy in District 20-5A

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Bellaire head aquatics coach Kris Wingenroth considers the Cardinal Classic the true start to the season.

And, this year is no different. Bellaire will face a strong field on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Lamar Natatorium. Competition gets under way at 9 a.m.

"It seems like we always attract the top private schools, such as John Cooper, Duchesne, Episcopal, Kinkaid and St. Thomas," Wingenroth said. "Lamar usually sends a few kids and Waltrip will be there. It will be a good meet."

In addition, Wingenroth noted that Bellaire will face Lamar in a dual meet Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Lamar Natatorium. It's one of the final tune-ups for the District 20-5A Swimming and Diving Championships on Friday, Feb. 1, also at Lamar.

Wingenroth, though, has been encouraged by the Cardinals' start. To date, Bellaire's boys are undefeated in dual meets, notching victories over Elkins, Katy and Kempner, and the girls have been highly competitive. More importantly, both squads swept Westside, one of their main District 20-5A rivals.

"We're looking pretty good so far, but we'll know where we really stand after our meet and the dual meet against Lamar," Wingenroth said.

"We are pretty well-distributed," Wingenroth said. "We have at least one guy who can score in every event."

Junior Sam Polisini has been the Cardinals' most consistent swimmer on the boys' side. Polisini medaled in the 100-yard breaststroke at last year's district meet and was fourth in the 200 individual medley.

Wingenroth ranks Polisini as a darkhorse to qualify for state, mainly because Bellaire was shipped to Region 5 with the Conroe and Cy-Fair ISD schools. The Class 5A-Region 5 Swimming and Diving Championships will be Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8-9, at the Conroe ISD Natatorium.

"Sam definitely should make it back to regionals," Wingenroth said. "Regionals will tough for all of our kids. We're in there with The Woodlands, College Park, Langham Creek and Cy Creek. It will be an extremely fast meet, for sure."

Senior Cristian Vallejo has outstanding credentials, earning silver medals at district in the 200 and 500 freestyle last season.

"Cristian has a lot of experience and has a chance to do well," Wingenoth said.

Sophomore Eric Vallejo, Cristian's younger brother, is a threat along with senior captain Danny Zhu in the 100 breaststroke.

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Title contender: The Bellaire's boys aquatics team expects to challenge Lamar for the District 20-5A title. The Cardinals have plenty of depth, led by standouts such junior Sam Polisini (100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley) and senior Cristian Vallejo (200 and 500 freestyle).

Family tradition: Junior Bridget Ritter is the top girls' standout. Ritter, the defending district champion in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley, is following in the footsteps of her two older siblings, Jake Ritter (University of Texas) and Kaleigh Ritter (Penn State University).

Coming up: Bellaire will host the Cardinal Classic on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Lamar Natatorium.

Sophomore Christian Vaudagna is a newcomer to diving but could surprise.

Wingenroth rates Lamar as the heavy favorite to win the girls' title, but Bellaire made it interesting a year ago.

"We only lost to Lamar by 10 points, which is the closest it's been in a long time," Wingenroth said. "I thought we might have an outside shot, but we probably don't have the numbers."

But junior Bridget Ritter might be the league's top swimmer. The younger sister of former Bellaire standouts Jake Ritter (University of Texas) and Kaleigh Ritter (Penn State University), Ritter has come into her own. She is the reigning district champion in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

"Bridget is really talented. She just keeps improving," Wingenroth said. "She's probably our best chance to get to state."

Sophomores Kyla Prince and Meghan Parsons have strong credentials. Prince swept the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly titles last year but might add the 100 freestyle to her program. Parsons, a returning individual medalist, has excelled in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle.

"Kyla and Meg are young but they have a lot of natural ability," Wingenroth said.

Sophomore Sarah Schneider, a transfer from St. Thomas Episcopal, has emerged in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle.